July 23, 2004
Glenn Mahone/Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1898/1600)
RELEASE: S04-238
CHALLENGER CREW HONORED WITH CONGRESSIONAL SPACE MEDAL OF HONOR
The families of the Space Shuttle Challenger's crew today accepted the
Congressional Space Medal of Honor from NASA Administrator Sean
O'Keefe. The honors, presented in the name of Congress and on behalf
of President George W. Bush, were made during a private ceremony with
the families of the seven astronauts in Washington.
Image left: The Congressional Space Medal of Honor presented to the
Challenger families. Click for high resolution photo. Photo credit:
NASA/Renee Bouchard.
"The Challenger tragedy was a defining moment in American history and
demonstrated that achieving great things often comes with great
sacrifice. We honor the bravery and dedication of the crew and their
families with a renewed commitment to the causes to which they
devoted their lives -- exploration and discovery," said Administrator
O'Keefe. "Not a single day goes by that the entire NASA family
doesn't think about the incredible spirit of these brave explorers.
We will never forget our fallen astronaut heroes and their courageous
families."
The Space Shuttle Challenger's crew of seven astronauts died in the
explosion of their spacecraft during the launch of STS-51-L on
January 28, 1986, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The
explosion occurred 73 seconds into the flight, as a result of a leak
in one of two Solid Rocket Boosters that ignited the main liquid fuel
tank.
The STS-51-L crew included Commander Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, Pilot
Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Ronald E.
McNair and Ellison S. Onizuka, Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis
and Sharon Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher to fly in space.
The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by Congress in
1969 to recognize "any astronaut who in the performance of his duties
has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and
contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind."
Astronauts who have been honored with the Congressional Space Medal
include John Young, Jim Lovell, Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Shannon Lucid,
William Shepherd and Senator John Glenn. In all, a total of 27
astronauts have now been honored.
Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong received the very first
Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1978 at NASA's Kennedy Space
Center in Florida.
For more information about NASA, mission STS-51-L of the Space Shuttle
Challenger, and for a photograph of a Congressional Space Medal of
Honor, visit the Internet at:
http://www.nasa.gov
http://www.NASA.gov/images/content/62870main_spacemedal_hires.jpg
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/shuttle/missions/51-l/mission-51-l.html
-end-